barbecue with friends

A barbecue has to be one of the easiest ways to entertain. The cooks get to mingle with guests outdoors and it’s one time when blokes flock to help with the cooking.

Barbecue food should be light, fresh and revitalising – a move away from the more stodgy food of winter. Combine barbecued meat and seafood with sweet, crisp spring vegetables for the ultimate meal to welcome longer days and warmer temperatures.

prep plan

WELL AHEAD

Make Cassata a few days in advance and refreeze.

DAY BEFORE

Mix up marinade ingredients for chicken. Keep covered in fridge. Make Basil Oil for Cobb Salad.

ON THE DAY

Prepare chicken and mix with marinade up to four hours ahead of cooking. Refrigerate until needed. Make fruit pouches for dessert and refrigerate until ready to cook. Slice eggplant and sprinkle with salt 30 minutes before cooking. Prepare flavoured oil for eggplant. Cook corn for Cobb Salad and cool. Prepare tomatoes, red onion and spring onion, toss together with corn kernels and refrigerate.